A recent article in the New York Times discusses the value in providing education for prisoners, as it increases their chances of gaining employment upon release and reduced recidivism. It explains,

"New Yorkers pay about $60,000 per inmate per year — a considerable burden given that 40 percent of those who are released return within three years, most for economically driven crimes. ... A prison education program created by Bard College in 2001 boasts a remarkable recidivism rate of 4 percent for inmates who merely participated in the program and 2.5 percent for those who earned degrees in prison. In addition, research has shown that the public saves $4 to $5 in reimprisonment costs for every $1 it spends on prison education."

The following letters were received from inmates (names redacted) at the Hill Correctional Center following a book donation. These letters really show what a big difference books can make in their lives.